Note: From July 8–Oct. 5 2026, the road to Rialto Beach will be closed for construction. If you’re eloping during this timeframe, I recommend checking out other nearby beaches such as Ruby Beach or Second Beach!
Rialto Beach really is one of those locations that works for just about every kind of elopement. Whether you’re planning something with guests or just the two of you, want to hike or keep things simple, include your dog, or are looking for sea stacks, this place checks a lot of boxes. It’s safe to say Rialto Beach is one of the best places to elope on the Olympic Peninsula.
If you’re curious about how and where to elope at Rialto Beach, you’re in the right place. I’ve been photographing elopements here for around 7 years and put this guide together to help you plan your day. Whether you’re looking for info on weather, permits, or logistics, I’ve got you covered from start to finish.
How to Elope at Rialto Beach
If you want the quick version, I’ve got that below. Otherwise, feel free to keep reading for the full guide.
- Best time of year to elope: May to October. For fewer crowds, I recommend May or September to October. Rialto Beach is open year-round and beautiful no matter the season. If you don’t mind rain, winter is honestly a bit of a hidden gem out here.
- Hiking required: No hiking required, though I do highly recommend hiking the Hole-in-the-Wall trail which is a flat 3.3 mile roundtrip walk. This trail is only accessible during low tide and will take you to some of the best tide pools in the state! Awesome sea stacks and photo ops here.
- Closest town: Forks (23 minutes).
- Crowd level: Fairly busy. In the summer, it can feel a bit crowded. Other times of the year it’s common to have entire sections of the beach to yourself.
- Pet-friendly: Yes, but only 0.8 miles north towards Ellen Creek. I usually recommend eloping at Ruby Beach if you need a dog-friendly location.
- Permit information: A $50 permit is required for elopements with more than five people total, including the couple, photographer, officiant, and any guests. If your group has five people or fewer, no permit is required.
- Important information: Tide timing is everything if you plan to hike to Hole-in-the-Wall. Otherwise, you can visit the beach anytime. There’s tons of parking and bathrooms. Cell service is limited to nonexistent. Rialto can get a bit windy so I recommend bringing some layers.
Where to Elope on Rialto Beach
There are really only two main places to elope at Rialto Beach: the beach itself or the Hole-in-the-Wall trail. Both are beautiful, but they offer pretty different experiences depending on what you’re looking for.
Here’s how to decide between the two.
Hole-in-the-Wall Trail
If you’re up for a little bit of walking and want some of the most unique scenery on the Washington coast, this is the spot.
The Hole-in-the-Wall trail is about a 3.3 mile roundtrip walk along the beach and leads you to massive rock formations, tide pools, and some of the most interesting landscapes you’ll find anywhere in Olympic National Park.
That said, timing is everything here.
- Only accessible at low tide
- Requires a longer walk on uneven terrain
- Best for couples who want something more adventurous
If you’re willing to plan around tides and don’t mind a bit of walking, this is easily one of the most rewarding spots on Rialto Beach.
Sea Stacks (Main Beach Area)
If you want something simple and still incredibly beautiful, you really can’t go wrong with the main beach area. In fact, this is where most Rialto Beach elopements happen.
Right near the parking lot, you’ll find sea stacks, driftwood, and wide open shoreline. You don’t have to hike at all, which makes this a great option for:
- Elopements with guests
- Anyone not wanting to worry about tide restrictions
Best Time of Year to Elope at Rialto Beach
The best time of year to elope at Rialto Beach is between May and October.
From my experience, May and September into October are the sweet spots. You’ll usually get better weather without the heavier crowds that come with peak summer.
- Spring: Fewer crowds, more rain, occasional fog
- Summer: Best weather, longest days, most people
- Fall: Moodier, quieter, great balance overall
- Winter: Rainy and unpredictable, but very quiet and underrated
Rialto Beach is open year-round, so you really can’t go wrong. It just depends on whether you want better weather or fewer people.
Rialto Beach Permit Information
You’ll need to get a permit for your elopement, but only if you have more than 5 people at your elopement. This includes the two of you plus any vendors like your photographer, officiant, or guests.
If you have fewer than 5 people total, you won’t need a permit.
How to Apply for a Permit:
- Fill out the permit application.
- Email your completed application to OLYM_Permits@nps.gov.
- Once approved, you’ll receive a payment link to pay the $50 fee online.
- After your payment is processed (usually within a few days), the park will email you your approved permit.
I recommend applying for a permit one year to 3 months in advance.
How Many Guests?
While there’s no strict limit on the number of guests you can bring to Rialto Beach, I recommend keeping it under 50.
There’s a ton of shoreline here so it can easily accommodate that many people. If you’re hiking the Hole-in-the-Wall Trail though, I recommend just a handful of guests.
Rialto Beach Tides
The tide doesn’t matter too much if you’re eloping on the main area of Rialto Beach. However, if you wanted to explore the Hole-in-the-Wall Trail, it does, as that trail is only accessible during low tide. I recommend checking out the NOAA Tide Chart website to get specific information about high and low tides on the beach.
Where to Stay When Eloping at Rialto Beach
Forks
Forks is the closest town to Rialto Beach, about 20 to 25 minutes away.
There isn’t a ton to do here unless you’re a big Twilight fan, but there are plenty of Airbnbs and cabins in the area. It’s easily the most convenient place to stay if you want quick access to the beach and don’t want to spend a lot of time driving.
Port Angeles
Port Angeles is about an hour and a half from Rialto Beach and is a great option if you want more amenities.
Compared to Forks, you’ll find more restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, and hotel options here. It’s also closer to a lot of the more popular locations in the park like Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, and Marymere Falls.
Real Rialto Beach Elopement Example
Now that we’ve got all the logistics out of the way, here’s some inspiration from a real elopement I photographed on Rialto Beach in May!
It’s always a treat getting to show couples around Olympic National Park, especially when it’s their first time here. That was exactly the case for Jess and Warren, who traveled all the way from Texas for their elopement. Neither of them had ever been to the Pacific Northwest, but after seeing photos of Hurricane Ridge and Rialto Beach online, they were completely sold on it. When they reached out and started talking about mountain views, beaches, and wanting to see as much variety as possible in one day, I knew this was going to be a good one.
If you’re in the early stages of planning and want a breakdown of permits, seasons, and locations, check out my ultimate how to elope in Olympic National Park planning guide.
We met mid-afternoon on their elopement day at Hurricane Ridge, where the fog was rolling in and out nonstop. From a photography standpoint, it was a dream. And don’t even get me started on the deer. Hurricane Ridge almost always delivers when it comes to wildlife. I see deer up there constantly, but that day felt next level. Jess and Warren had an entire stretch of the mountains to themselves. Seriously, not a person in sight! They even got to experience a bit of lingering snowpack, which was especially exciting for two people coming from Texas.
After the ceremony, we stopped by Lake Crescent for portraits, and I took them to one of my favorite hidden forest trails nearby. Watching couples see places like that for the first time never gets old. In just a few hours, they experienced mountains, forests, a lake, and later, the coast. That kind of variety is exactly why I love helping couples plan elopements here.
We wrapped up the day at Rialto Beach which is easily one of the best beach locations in the PNW for elopements, though you already knew that from this guide.
That evening, the weather showed off. We watched one of the most unreal sunsets I’ve ever seen at Rialto. Pinks, blues, and oranges covered the sky.
The night wrapped up back near the parking lot, where Jess and Warren celebrated with mini cakes from a local bakery at one of the picnic tables.
Their Rialto Beach elopement was truly one for the books. If you’re considering eloping at Rialto Beach, you’ll see why it’s easy for so many couples fall in love with this spot, and as someone who feels the same, I’d be thrilled to show you around.
- Photography: Me!
- Florals: Fullness of Joy Floral
- Hair and Makeup: Jocelyn DeChenne
Rialto Beach Elopement Packages
If you’re already picturing yourselves eloping at Rialto Beach, you’re in the right place. I’m Brianna, a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer who specializes in Olympic National Park and knows this coastline inside and out. I’ve photograph elopements at Rialto every year and would love to photograph yours.
From timing your ceremony around tides and sunsets, to choosing spots that work well for guests and dogs, to handling permits and logistics, I’m here for way more than just photos.
You can take a look at my elopement packages below, or head over to my full elopement packages page for all the details on how I help plan and photograph your Rialto Beach elopement.
- 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Washington
- A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
- Personalized elopement location recommendations
- Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
- Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
- 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
- Customized elopement timelines
- Optional complimentary officiant services
- Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
- 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
- Travel fees to anywhere in Washington are already included
- Starting at $6,500
Looking for more elopement inspiration? You might like my PNW elopement guide, my guide to the 15 best places to elope in Washington, or this incredible Second Beach elopement I photographed right next door to Rialto!
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Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!
An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.
You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…
That moment when you turn to the person you’re with and ask, “Are you seeing this?” I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, “I can’t believe this place exists,” I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.
These places have always felt like home to me. And if you’re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then we’ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.
If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go ahead…
(I promise you won’t regret it.)
P.S. I’m Brianna. I’m a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer whose mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.
